Taipei: The Ministry of Education (MOE) ordered schools around Taiwan to stop using a brand of curry powder for nearly three months after it was found to contain a suspected banned dye known locally as "Sudan Red."According to Focus Taiwan, the MOE has issued a notice instructing schools to suspend the use of "Flying Horse Special Mix Curry Powder" until January 20, 2025. The notice aims to ensure the safety of condiments used in school lunches and protect the health of teachers and students. The curry powder, produced by Chiseng Hong Ltd., a Taiwanese company based in Taipei, contains Sudan I, a suspected carcinogen banned in food products in Taiwan and elsewhere.An initial examination suggested that turmeric powder imported from India last year may have tainted the product. The Food and Drug Administration stated in an interview with local media that further testing is still required. The notice from the MOE has prompted local education authorities, including those in Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, and T aoyuan cities, to issue similar bans, with other cities and counties following suit.The nationwide ban on Flying Horse Special Mix Curry Powder in school meals has been complemented by local authorities in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung cities, who have announced bans on all chili powders and curry powders within their jurisdictions.Chiseng Hong, the company responsible for manufacturing the curry powder, issued a statement expressing its "deepest apologies" for "causing concern to the public." The company recalled the products after the New Taipei City Department of Health informed it of the suspected presence of "Sudan Red" in its curry powder, which has an expiration date of May 6, 2026.The Taipei City Department of Health reported that the batch of potentially cancer-causing curry powder had been sold in nine cities and counties across Taiwan, including Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Hualien. The department ordered its removal from store shel ves across Taipei and urged the public to stop consuming the product and return it to the store of purchase.This incident follows a similar one earlier this year, where Sudan III was found in chili powder imported from China, affecting other seasoning items and processed food, including curry powder from Chiseng Hong, leading to a temporary ban in school meals.